'New social issues to gain space' with law amendment

Abu Dhabi: A temporary committee was established to study the general policy of media in the Federal National Council, the government agreed to discuss it but asked to delay the issue until it finishes putting together its media policy, said Maisa Rashid Ghadeer, a member of FNC.

"From my personal experience as a columnist in Al Bayan newspaper, I think anybody can express his or her opinion as long as he or she is objective and accurate," Maisa said.

"Press law was amended by the journalist association and it will be discussed in FNC. ... I think media will gain its freedom especially after the order of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, not to jail journalists.

"More space will be given to address new social issues," she said.

Abdul Rahim Shaheen, a member of FNC, said: "I used to write articles and I [wrote] that we don't have freedom of press; many of my articles were rejected or chopped.

"I can't say press is free while a lot of Emirati writers are banned from writing; we are living in a small global village where nothing can be hid any more. Officially it is said that press is free but practically and in reality it's not so at all. There is duality in this matter.

Real change

"It's true that Shaikh Mohammad's order not to jail journalists and the review of press law could strengthen media but a real change has not happened in the media yet. We are free to write about international and regional matters but when it comes to the national matters, we are blocked.

"In general, Emirati columnists are rare, and most of their writings praise officials or criticise Arab or international issues."